H.S. boys volleyball: All in the family at Passaic Valley

LITTLE FALLS – Jake Pisano knows his brother so well, he can provide a scouting report on the spot. Lenny Pisano can do the same.

The Pisano triplets — Jake (left), Erica and Lenny — taking a break from their roles on the Passaic Valley boys volleyball team.

The Passaic Valley seniors have been playing volleyball together since fifth grade. They are in their fourth varsity season with the Hornets and often line up next to each other in the back row.

"Lenny's a smart player," Jake said. "He's a great leader, and he always has something to say to make us better."

"Jake always picks me up if I need help," said Lenny. "When a ball is shot to the corner, we can always rely on him to get to it, because he's quick on his feet."

Thanks to contributions from the two defensive specialists, Passaic Valley has earned a top four seed in the Passaic County tournament for the first time since 2010.

But to get the "real" lowdown on the brothers, talk to the Hornets' scorekeeper — Erica Pisano.

"Jake is taller than Len, so he kind of makes fun of him for that, but then Len gives Jake a hard time about being the last one born," their sister said.

Such is the jocular family dynamic that the triplets from Totowa bring to the PV boys volleyball team. The birth order is Lenny, Erica and Jake, while the height order goes Jake (5 feet 6), then Lenny (5-3), then Erica (4-10).

"I can still boss them around," Erica said with a laugh.

Wisecracks aside, she occupies one of the best seats in the house when it comes to scouting Jake and Lenny.

"Even when they were freshman, they would show that they were leaders," she said. "They're very passionate about what they do, and it shows when they play."

And their feistiness has been as much an asset to the Hornets as their serves and digs.

"Their mom and dad are around a lot, and Erica's always around, so it brings this family atmosphere to the team," co-coach Bill Robertazzi said.

As with any family, some give and take has been necessary. Lenny began the season as one of two setters in the Hornets' 6-2 formation before yielding the position full time to sophomore Piero Batarseh. He remains a back-row starter, alternating with hitter Troy Gondola whenever his spot moves to the front row. Jake and middle Frank Kleinsorage share a rotation slot in similar fashion.

Regardless of their role, both brothers are excited to see what their team can do in the first home county match of their careers. Though currently 5-10, Passaic Valley was given the No. 4 seed for the Passaic tournament as a credit for playing in the Big North Independence — arguably the toughest division in North Jersey.

H.S. boys volleyball: All in the family at Passaic Valley

The Pisano triplets — Jake (left), Erica and Lenny — taking a break from their roles on the Passaic Valley boys volleyball team.

The Passaic Valley seniors have been playing volleyball together since fifth grade. They are in their fourth varsity season with the Hornets and often line up next to each other in the back row.

"Lenny's a smart player," Jake said. "He's a great leader, and he always has something to say to make us better."

"Jake always picks me up if I need help," said Lenny. "When a ball is shot to the corner, we can always rely on him to get to it, because he's quick on his feet."

Thanks to contributions from the two defensive specialists, Passaic Valley has earned a top four seed in the Passaic County tournament for the first time since 2010.

But to get the "real" lowdown on the brothers, talk to the Hornets' scorekeeper — Erica Pisano.

"Jake is taller than Len, so he kind of makes fun of him for that, but then Len gives Jake a hard time about being the last one born," their sister said.

Such is the jocular family dynamic that the triplets from Totowa bring to the PV boys volleyball team. The birth order is Lenny, Erica and Jake, while the height order goes Jake (5 feet 6), then Lenny (5-3), then Erica (4-10).

"I can still boss them around," Erica said with a laugh.

Wisecracks aside, she occupies one of the best seats in the house when it comes to scouting Jake and Lenny.

"Even when they were freshman, they would show that they were leaders," she said. "They're very passionate about what they do, and it shows when they play."

And their feistiness has been as much an asset to the Hornets as their serves and digs.

"Their mom and dad are around a lot, and Erica's always around, so it brings this family atmosphere to the team," co-coach Bill Robertazzi said.

As with any family, some give and take has been necessary. Lenny began the season as one of two setters in the Hornets' 6-2 formation before yielding the position full time to sophomore Piero Batarseh. He remains a back-row starter, alternating with hitter Troy Gondola whenever his spot moves to the front row. Jake and middle Frank Kleinsorage share a rotation slot in similar fashion.

Regardless of their role, both brothers are excited to see what their team can do in the first home county match of their careers. Though currently 5-10, Passaic Valley was given the No. 4 seed for the Passaic tournament as a credit for playing in the Big North Independence — arguably the toughest division in North Jersey.